World First Premiership and World First Challenge Cup: Week 6 Previews & Fixtures

As the first round of matches ended in the World First Premiership, Wanderers looked to have secured a top of the table place and their fine form on a wet Friday night seems to cement that. In their match of the week against Saints, Wanderers continued to play a free flowing game despite torrential rain and a boggy CCAB surface. Damien Hoo continues to impress and is by far the best scrum half in the competition. With Tom Child busting up the middle of the pitch, Wanderers overran a Saints side that unfortunately did not have any possession to show off their attacking intent. The Saints were missing a number of players and fielded what looked like an experimental side, and the lack of experience at the top level showed in parts. Nicholas Yau continued his fine form and his tackling and running with the little possession Saints had was impressive. In the end though, the Saints were over powered and will need to regroup against the World First Lions this weekend.

Bedok Kings will be looking for consistency in their performance when they face the SCC in week 6’s match of the week. They were good in parts against Bucks, but it was patchy and they were punished in the end. It was a physical contest as always, with Bucks Coach Neil Best looking at focusing on establishing some sort of pattern of play for the likes of Alex Cooke and Charlie Lambert to shine. Over at the Padang, SCC were strong from the get go against the World First Lions, and the outstanding play of in-form half back Michael Oliver was one of the main highlights. Oliver is pushing Wanderer’s Damien Hoo for outstanding half back in the competition and the former USA U20s cap is clearly making an impact for the Black and Gold. Elroy Tan was clearly on a mission and his performances to date have been consistently stellar. He has hardly put a foot wrong and would be interesting how he fairs against competitions vying for national places from Bedok Kings this Friday in the match of the week.

Saints vs the World First Lions will be one to watch as both teams round out the table and with Saints looking to string some wins for a run at the Semis. Another weekend of exiting rugby ahead for sure!